Thornton out until February`after fall

English jockey Andrew Thornton was today facing two months on the sidelines after breaking a forearm bone in a fall at Wincanton.

He was given the bad news last night after being taken to Ridgeway Hospital at Wroughton, near Swindon, for x-rays following the tumble yesterday.

Thornton was riding Macaw-Bay for Tony Carroll in the EBF/Tattersalls Novices` Chase when the seven-year-old, who was making her debut over fences, fell at the second fence.

The rider was thrown clear but in the melee, 100-1 shot Indian Crown was brought down and the horse trod on the arm of the prostrate Thornton.

Thornton said: 'I have broken the radius - one of the bones in the forearm _ and I am going to have it plated. It is dislocated at the wrist as well.

'I have been told it is nothing to worry about but it is a bit wonky.

'I could be out for a while. The doctor seems to think it could be a couple of months. It is a real shame but such is racing.

'You are up one minute and down the next. It`s a bit frustrating but it happens to everybody.

'If you keep riding, you are going to have a fall.

'The earliest I will be back is February.'